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Hello everyone
I'm hoping someone has some advice. I've been trying out different size strips, from little triangles or squares to thin strips to 1"strips and even 4x4" types.
I've some warpage as things dry. *gasp* This warping often causes the piece to be deformed, even unusable.
At first I thought this must be due to paper stretching as I smooth it out, then dries it contracts. But having tried a few others ways of laying paper, including pressing, no smoothing, I'm not so sure.
What can cause this? Is it smoothing? Too much of um... something? *sigh* Any suggestions, please?
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What are you using for your armature? Ive found that if I use a solid armature, such as newpaper wadded up and taped, there is no problem. I did try using a balloon recently to make a hollow piece for a lampshade and it did warp pretty badly, and almost imediately. I tried covering a balloon with masking tape to hold its shape, no bueno. I finally got it to work, I took 2 deflated balloons, put one inside the other, blew up the one on the inside and tied them both off together. Worked out fine, I have 2 layers of mache strips on it now with no warping. :twisted:
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:?
Sounds to me as though you might be making your paper just too wet. Use a paste which is no thinner than double cream. Smear it on to the paper, removing any excess. You actually need very little.
DavidO
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Thanks folks = )
I'm trying out different mixes with much lighter application, so far no full success. Although, I am finding that the thicker, more gel like my mix is the less warpage I get (granting I apply lightly) and it sticks well. I'll keep testing.
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I finally got it to work, I took 2 deflated balloons, put one inside the other, blew up the one on the inside and tied them both off together. Worked out fine, I have 2 layers of mache strips on it now with no warping. :twisted:
I've just started this wonderful medium, last week in fact, and am working on a vase using a balloon. So far, no warping and it's not crooked at all. It is a pain doing it though...not a very stable surface.
My question is, how on earth did you get one balloon inside of the other?? I tried doing that tonight, and oh man...just wasn't going to work. Are you using regular every day balloons? What's the trick?
LOVE this site!
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You might be able to push one balloon inside another using the eraser end of a pencil, but that's just a guess.
I've never had warping with a balloon, unless it had a slow leak and started deflating before the basic shell hardened enough to hold its shape.
When covering a balloon, set it in the mouth of a round container that is smaller than it is, just so you don't have to keep chasing it around the table. 
Sue
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I'll have to give that pencil thing a go. Sounds like it should work! Thanks!
I couldn't find anything smaller than the balloon, so I cut a milk carton in half. It's worked ok. I made the mistake of putting a bottom on it BEFORE I had it completely covered. I had to cut off that end today, and recover the end. I'll do another complete covering tomorrow, then when that's dry, I'll attach a cardboard piece for the bottom. Trial and error! 
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Making the balloon more stable. I posted under another subject to say that I sometimes put the balloon under the tap and fill it about a quarter before blowing it up full size. I find it will stay on a support quite sturdily while I work. Sue (Catperson) said she found it could leak but I never had that problem. Of course you do have to tie the neck of the balloon itself rather than close it with string.
DavidO
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Tie off the neck of the balloon??? :shock: (Who would have thought? she mutters to herself...)
Sue 
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